Programs

Infant

The infant program provides a safe, clean and nurturing environment where teachers focus on the unique needs of each child. During these important first months, our staff directs attention to gross motor, manipulative, intellectual, social-emotional development and language expression. Our youngest learners enjoy a stimulating environment complete with soft mat areas for crawling, bars for pulling up and early walking stages and a drop-seat table for manipulative play and solid food exploration.

Age:6 weeks to 16 months and walking

Schedule:5 day programs onlyFrom 7:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.

Meals:Parents provide formula and special food until child is eating Center menu.

Toddler

The Toddler program offers a warm, caring environment where children ages 16 to 24 months may explore and experience a multitude of activities including creative arts and crafts, music, outdoor play, puppetry and storytelling. The children discover new ways to play as they grow and enjoy a positive social and educational setting that encourages their natural curiosity.

Age:16 months and walking to 24 months

Schedule:5 day programs onlyFrom 7:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.

Meals:Two snacks and lunch

Preschool

The Preschool program offers a hands-on, discovery approach to learning that balances teacher-directed activities with free play. Young learners move through a stimulating curriculum that cultivates language and handwriting development and introduces science and math concepts in a noncompetitive environment.

Learning is further enhanced through a broad range of enrichment activities including: a new rhythm and vocals music program, an independent art studio with a full-time art teacher, an on-site library managed by a preschool librarian, an interactive science lab; a physical fitness room complete with climbing wall, game tables and more, a drama center and a hands-on kid’s café. Rounding out the expansive resources that CDCW offers is the Children’s Discovery Garden. What began as a modest endeavor has grown over the past 20 years into a series of elaborate, carefully maintained flower and vegetable gardens that bring children and teachers together to dig, cultivate and discover amidst the beauty of the CDCW campus.

Children are eligible for the Preschool program beginning at the age of two years old and are expected to be potty trained at age three and older.

Junior Kindergarten

Junior Kindergarten is a readiness program that provides learning opportunities that are uniquely challenging to older four and five year olds. Pre-reading, mathematics, science and language experiences including Spanish are designed to challenge students who are growing in confidence, independence and sociability. All Junior Kindergarteners participate in the enrichment programs in the Avenues building which includes the art studio, library, science lab, drama and dance center and physical education room. In addition, Junior Kindergarteners spend time each week in the Children's Discovery Garden and enjoy several field trips throughout the school year.

After School Programs

Road Trip USA is an after-school program that whisks students into an in-depth exploration of the history, geography and cultural traditions of each state in the nation. Located in The Avenues facility, the Road Trip USA program gives children the opportunity to express their creativity in 10 fully equipped areas of interest. The Avenues is designed for each participant to experience the excitement of:

The James River Rapids:Physical activity using a traverse climbing wall, basketball goals, scooters, ping-pong table and more

The River City Café:Hands-on kid’s kitchen where basic cooking and food preparation are taught by making homemade foods from the 50 states